COMMON MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
The most
common types of mental illness are as follows:
- anxiety disorders
- mood disorders
- schizophrenia disorders
Anxiety
disorders
According to
the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are
the most common type of mental illness.
People with
these conditions have severe fear or anxiety, which relates to certain objects
or situations. Most people with an anxiety disorder will try to avoid exposure
to whatever triggers their anxiety.
Examples of
anxiety disorders include:
Generalized
anxiety disorder (GAD)
The American Psychiatric Association define GAD as
disproportionate worry that disrupts everyday living.
People might
also experience physical symptoms, including
- restlessness
- fatigue
- tense muscles
- interrupted sleep
A bout of
anxiety symptoms does not necessarily need a specific trigger in people with
GAD.
They may
experience excessive anxiety on encountering everyday situations that do not
present a direct danger, such as chores or keeping appointments. A person with
GAD may sometimes feel anxiety with no trigger at all.
Panic
disorders
People with
a panic disorder experience regular panic attacks, which involve sudden,
overwhelming terror or a sense of imminent disaster and death.
Read more about panic
attacks here.
Phobias
There are
different types of phobia:
- Simple phobias: These
might involve a disproportionate fear of specific objects, scenarios, or
animals. A fear of spiders is a common example. Learn more about
simple phobias here.
- Social phobia: Sometimes
known as social anxiety, this is a fear of being subject to the judgment
of others. People with social phobia often restrict their exposure to
social environments. Find out more
here.
- Agoraphobia: This
term refers to a fear of situations in which getting away may be
difficult, such as being in an elevator or moving train. Many people
misunderstand this phobia as a fear of being outside. Read all about
agoraphobia here.
Phobias are
deeply personal, and doctors do not know every type. There could be thousands
of phobias, and what might seem unusual to one person may be a severe problem
that dominates daily life for another.
Obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD)
People with
OCD have obsessions and compulsions. In other words, they experience constant,
stressful thoughts and a powerful urge to perform repetitive acts, such as hand
washing.
Post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can
occur after a person experiences or witnesses a deeply stressful or traumatic
event.
During this
type of event, the person thinks that their life or other people’s lives are in
danger. They may feel afraid or that they have no control over what is
happening.
These
sensations of trauma and fear may then contribute to PTSD.
Discover how to
recognize and treat PTSD.
Mood
disorders
People may
also refer to mood disorders as affective disorders or depressive disorders.
People with
these conditions have significant changes in mood, generally involving either
mania, which is a period of high energy and elation, or depression. Examples
of mood disorders include:
- Major depression: An
individual with major depression experiences a constant low mood and loses
interest in activities and events that they previously enjoyed. They can
feel prolonged periods of sadness or extreme sadness.
- Bipolar disorder: A
person with bipolar
disorder experiences unusual changes in their mood, energy levels,
levels of activity, and ability to continue with daily life. Periods of
high mood are known as manic phases, while depressive phases bring on low
mood. Read
more about the different types of bipolar here.
- Seasonal affective
disorder (SAD): Reduced daylight
triggers during the fall, winter, and early spring months trigger
this type of major depression. It is most common in
countries far from the equator. Learn more about
SAD here.
Schizophrenia
disorders
Mental
health authorities are still trying to determine whether schizophrenia is a
single disorder or a group of related illnesses. It is a highly complex
condition.
Signs of
schizophrenia typically develop between the ages of 16 and 30 years, according to the NIMH.
The individual will have thoughts that appear fragmented, and they may also
find it hard to process information.
Schizophrenia
has negative and positive symptoms. Positive symptoms include delusions,
thought disorders, and hallucinations. Negative symptoms include withdrawal,
lack of motivation, and a flat or inappropriate mood.
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